If you had told eight-year-old me that one day I’d be teaching people about horses online, I don’t think I would have believed you. Like so many horse kids, I didn’t grow up with horses in my backyard. I grew up chasing every bit of horse knowledge I could find. I waited for trips to the library so I could check out every horse book on the shelf. I begged my parents for subscriptions to horse magazines. I reread the same worn books until the pages practically fell out. Every photograph, every diagram, every article felt like another small piece of a world I desperately wanted to understand. Those books became my teachers long before I ever had opportunities to spend significant time around horses.
Thankfully, I also grew up in an agricultural family. Agriculture teaches something that every good horseman and woman eventually learns: Animals deserve knowledgeable, responsible care. Through organizations like 4-H, I discovered that horses weren’t simply beautiful animals—they were a lifelong subject of study. Horsemanship combined science, history, nutrition, anatomy, psychology, business, and stewardship into one incredible discipline.
As I continued my education, earned degrees in equine studies, and worked professionally within the horse industry, one thing became increasingly clear: Good equine education is surprisingly difficult to access. Many beginners don’t know where to start. Some information online is outdated. Some advice is dangerous. Some assumes you already own horses. Others gatekeep knowledge instead of sharing it.
That’s why Saddle & Soil Academy exists. My goal is simple: To make quality equine education available to anyone who wants to learn. Whether you’re a homeschool family, a future horse owner, a 4-H member, an FFA student, an adult finally pursuing your childhood dream, or simply someone fascinated by horses, you belong here. You’ll find articles, videos, printable resources, courses, and practical lessons that explain not only what to do, but why horses behave the way they do.
We’ll cover topics including:
- Horse behavior
- Breeds
- Anatomy
- Nutrition
- Health care
- Tack and equipment
- Equine careers
- Horse history
- Agriculture
- Barn safety
- And much more.
Learning about horses shouldn’t require growing up in the industry. It should simply require curiosity.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Welcome to Saddle & Soil Academy.
-Kylie
